Wetting device for cereal grain

Abstract

A wetting device for cereal grain includes a container with a container inlet and a container outlet that are arranged such that cereal grain which flows into the container inlet gets to the container outlet due to the action of gravity. A plurality of nozzles serve for wetting the cereal grain in the inside of the container. The wetting device further includes a flow guidance device, for example formed by impact elements, in the inside of the container, by way of which flow guidance device a flow of cereal grain which flows into the container inlet and falls downwards is shaped. The nozzles are arranged such that liquid and/or steam which exits through them hits the cereal grain below the flow guidance device whilst the cereal grain is in freefall.

1 . A wetting device for cereal grain,
 comprising a container with a container inlet and a container outlet which are arranged such that cereal grain which flows into the container inlet gets to the container outlet due to the action of gravity, wherein the wetting device comprises a plurality of nozzles in order to wet the cereal grain in an inside of the container, further comprising a flow guidance device in the inside of the container, by way of which a flow of cereal grain which flows into the container inlet and falls downwards is shaped, wherein the nozzles are arranged such that liquid and/or steam which exits through them hits the cereal grain below the flow guidance device whilst the cereal grain is in freefall.   
     
     
         2 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow guidance device comprises a central impact element, upon which cereal grain which flows in through the container inlet hits, and which deflects the cereal grain onwards. 
     
     
         3 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow guidance device comprises a plurality of outer impact elements, by way of which the flow of cereal grain which falls downwards from the flow guidance device is segmented at least in regions. 
     
     
         4 . The wetting device according to  claim 3 , wherein the outer impact elements are arranged in a manner ascending outwards. 
     
     
         5 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the flow guidance device defines a throughflow cross section area which comprises a central ring and rays running radially outwards therefrom. 
     
     
         6 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzles comprise inner nozzles with a spray direction from the inside to the outside, as well as outer nozzles with a spray direction from the outside to the inside. 
     
     
         7 . The wetting device according to  claim 6 , wherein the inner nozzles are arranged on a holder of a central impact element and/or the outer nozzles are arranged along the circumference of a regionally circularly cylindrical container wall of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the nozzles are designed as fan jet nozzles. 
     
     
         9 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is free of inner horizontal surfaces below the container inlet, on which surfaces cereal grain could remain lying. 
     
     
         10 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , which is free of elements which move during normal usage. 
     
     
         11 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of cleaning nozzles through which a cleaning fluid can be introduced into the container, in order to rinse away surfaces of the container wall as well as of the flow guidance device. 
     
     
         12 . The wetting device according to  claim 11 , comprising a plurality of cleaning spray balls and/or a plurality of cleaning lances with a nozzle element which can be extended into the container inside and is each with at least one of the cleaning nozzles. 
     
     
         13 . The wetting device according to  claim 11 , wherein the cleaning nozzles comprise upper cleaning nozzles which are arranged above the flow guidance device, and lower cleaning nozzles which are arranged below the flow guidance device. 
     
     
         14 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , comprising an accumulation closed-loop control device which is arranged below the flow guidance device and through which a flow of the cereal grain through the container outlet can be closed-loop controlled. 
     
     
         15 . The wetting device according to  claim 14 , comprising at least one level sensor, by way of which the reaching of a level of a cereal grain level above the accumulation closed-loop control device can be determined, for the closed-loop control of a throughput quantity through the accumulation closed-loop control device. 
     
     
         16 . The wetting device according to  claim 14 , wherein the accumulation closed-loop control device is an accumulation closed-loop control flap with at least two flap wings. 
     
     
         17 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising an outlet flap with a hollow shaft that is connected to at least one opening, said opening in a closed state of the outlet flap being open to the inside of the container, wherein given a closed outlet flap cleaning fluid can be led away out of the inside of the container through the opening and the hollow shaft without this flowing through the container outlet. 
     
     
         18 . A mill facility, comprising a wetting device according to  claim 1 , as well as a temper cell, wherein the temper cell is arranged such that the cereal grain goes from the outlet of the wetting device into the temper cell in a direct manner without mechanical processing means which lie therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The mill facility according to  claim 18 , further comprising a grinding unit, in particular with a roller mill and sieve devices, which is arranged downstream of the temper cell. 
     
     
         20 . The wetting device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control for metering the fluid in dependence on a measured humidity of the cereal grain. 
     
     
         21 . A method for operating a wetting device for cereal grain according to  claim 1 , wherein the wetting device comprises a container, and the cereal grain which flows in via a container inlet gets to the container outlet due to the effect of gravity, wherein the cereal grain on falling is sprayed with a liquid and/or with steam. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein a contoured falling flow of the cereal grain is generated in the container and the cereal grain in this contoured falling flow falls downwards whilst it is sprayed with liquid or the steam. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein a quantity of liquid or steam is closed-loop controlled such that the mass represents between 0.5% and 12% of a mass of the sprayed cereal grain. 
     
     
         24 . The mill facility according to  claim 18 , comprising a control for metering the fluid in dependence on a measured humidity of the cereal grain.